“We received 150 designs from 83 individuals and teams, from 21 states, the Netherlands and Poland,” said Margot Berg, the city’s Public Art Director. Those submissions were evaluated by a committee of City officials, art and design professionals, and cycling advocates, and were narrowed down to eight finalists “based on artistic merit, practicality/feasibility, and potential suitability to Center City Philadelphia.”

Berg added that they received a lot of pretzel-shaped racks and a few of Ben Franklin’s kites. But the committee really is “really seeking originality and a sense of artistry, along with the functionality aspects.”

"I was drawn to the more colorful and vibrant designs that would enliven the streetscape," said Leslye Abrutyn, a Bicycle Coalition board member and part of the selection committee. "These bike racks are works of art as well as functional. I refer to them as 'public art with a purpose.'"

The eight finalists have been notified and now the designs are being shared with donors who have committed to installing a rack in Center City. Locations for the new racks identified in the RFP were: Sister Cities Park, Café Cret, Boathouse Row, City Hall, Penn Center Plaza, and outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Perelman Building.

About the author

Ashley Hahn, Contributor

Ashley Hahn started Eyes on the Street for PlanPhilly in 2011 and was PlanPhilly's managing editor from September 2015 until July 2017. She is interested in preservation, neighborhoods, and all things public – from policy to art. She holds masters degrees in City and Regional Planning and Historic Preservation from PennDesign. Ashley has lived in 12 zip codes that she can think of, including neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, New York and Philadelphia. She is proud to call 19147 home.